By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
About a dozen people have voiced interest in the Ohio House seat vacated by Theresa Gavarone.
On Wednesday, Gavarone was sworn into the Ohio Senate seat vacated when Randy Gardner was selected as the state chancellor for higher education.
That leaves an opening in the 3rd House District, which covers all of Wood County.
“We’ve had about a dozen people who have reached out about the seat,” said Jon Jakubowski, chairman of the Wood County Republican Party.
And some of those people, if selected, will mean another domino falling, and another local elected position to be filled.
Jakubowski was reluctant to release the names of some of those interested in the Ohio House seat, but did confirm three whose names have become public knowledge. Those are:
- Perrysburg City Councilman Haraz N. Ghanbari, a former director of the University of Toledo’s military and veteran affairs.
- Northwood Mayor Ed Schimmel.
- Perrysburg School Board member Sue Larimer.
On Wednesday, Speaker of the Ohio House Larry Householder and members of the Ohio House Republican Caucus announced a screening panel to begin reviewing candidates showing interest in the House seat.
At Householder’s request, Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Sylvania) will serve as the chairman of the panel. The panel of Republican House members will include Rep. Bob Cupp (R-Lima), Rep. John Cross (R-Kenton) and Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville).
The panel will meet to interview candidates the week of Feb. 18.
Interested individuals should email a cover letter and resume by Feb. 15 to Rep72@OhioHouse.gov.
Though the decision making rests with the Ohio House Republican Caucus, Jakubowski said that as a courtesy the Speaker offered to let him know the names of all the applicants.
Because whoever is appointed to the position will have to run in the 2020 election to keep the seat, the party wants to make sure the appointee has a good connection with Wood County constituents, Jakubowski said.
The fact that so many people are interested in the House seat is a good sign, Jakubowski said.
“I think we have a lot of highly qualified people,” he said. “The fact that we have so many people reach out speaks volumes.”
